Shawn Oakman

Baylor
Defensive End #2
Senior 6’7” 269

Thick, maxed out upper body with great strength to control opposing tackles

Lean lower body – not able to generate the adequate lower half power, though his upper body strength can overcome his thin legs when bull rushing.

Doesn’t possess any elite pass rushing moves to get to the quarterback strictly relying on power and speed.

Doesn’t display much burst or explosion off the snap as he just rises out of stance more upright than exerting power while pursuing forward.

His motor will always be questioned. It’s obvious he takes plays off showing minimal effort because of lack of intensity or fatigue.

Uses powerful heavy hands to jar tackles off balance and keeps them in check with above average extension (35 inch arms).

Displays decent range to make the play being able to hunt down runners in the backfield with good speed for the position.

Doesn’t set the edge or provide much outside leverage even with great length and good range making it hard to project what scheme and technique is best suited for him in the NFL.

Last two seasons at Baylor: 94 tackles (70 solo), 34 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Dismissed from Penn State because of an incident involving an attempt at stealing food because of zero balance on meal plan along with some other instances.

2014 3rd team All-America, 2x All-Big 12 (2014-15), Senior Bowl

A large physical specimen, Shawn Oakman’s journey has been an interesting narrative to follow from his former dismissal at Penn State to his restart at Baylor. Oakman was recruited as a defensive end but also spent time as a tight end in high school on offense and as a center on his high school basketball team. It was a dream for Oakman to star at Penn State, but after a string of incidents, most notably attempting to steal a sandwich and then after being caught latching on to the clerk’s (female) arm, he was kicked off the team by then head coach Bill O’Brien. Oakman stayed out of trouble at Baylor as he made himself known on the football field (and Instagram) more of a priority.

Earning plenty of postseason accolades, Oakman had outstanding statistical seasons in his final two seasons with 94 tackles (70 solo), 34 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. With many postseason achievements in the rear view window, Oakman is not a polished defensive end prospect with plenty of areas to improve on.

His strengths include great upper body strength being able to power through offensive linemen that show poor hand placement and an average at best base, knocking them off rhythm and pursuing to make a play in the backfield. He lacks the proper ability to contain outside leverage but has great length to eventually learn how to lock down the pocket. Some things to work on would include keeping his intensity level up. He noticeably takes plays off showing minimal effort making you want to question if he loves the sport or if it’s just a hobby for him. Not having much of a tool kit of pass rush moves will handicap him at the next level because he will not be able to rely strictly on his strength facing the elite NFL left tackles.

To the casual fan he looks like a no-brainer first round pick with his 6-foot-7 270 pound frame and stat production over his college career, but he is actually far from a first round product when diving into his tape. Oakman has the physical makeup and upper body strength to star, but his lack of awareness and aggressiveness and consistent ability to rush the passer is what is most concerning projecting his success to the next level.

NFL Comparison: William GholstonGholston and Oakman struggle in the same areas with inconsistent play showing lack of discipline and motor. Both also stand with a similar stature.